Martin Zhang's Staging Area

Operation Jack is a great race to run for a cause, and to it’s a Boston Qualifier on an easy course, which is all on pavement and flat. Despite the ocean views, it’s close to LA Airport and there is some noise from airplanes.

First of all, I loved the view from the hills down to the ocean. Most of the race is single track, which is difficult to run especially if you’re finishing in the dark. There are two stretches over 10 Miles between aid stations that are challenging.

The trail is easy to run, with some steeper hills. Although it has some loops, most of the course is only run once. The aid stations were properly stocked and the finisher food was great!!

No doubt this is one of the races I had most fun running! It was well organized from the shuttle to the finish line, and friendly and helpful volunteers. The course was in a national park, with beautiful downhill views during the race. It is mostly downhill, with some smaller hills in the second half, but fairly easy to run. There’s nothing I could complain about, except for the lack of sleep I had the night before😅

If you want to PR or BQ, you should definetly try this race, unless you want to run a Revel race. There was plenty of support, 16 aid stations for the full marathon, and a good running surface. Parking is difficult at the shuttle pick-up. I love the age group awards and medals!

I would have preferred to run more along the coastline, which was a great scenery. Otherwise, it was well organized, although it was very crowded at the packet pick-up.

First of all, the trail was challenging but it included nice views and changing sceneries. Be prepared for heat.
There was a lack of aid stations and not enough volunteers. Only one aid station (on the 50 mile course) was properly stocked, the rest was literally a pile of water bottles. One of them, after a 5-mile uphill stretch, ran out of water; further the finish line ran out of ice.
The 50-mile course is the 50K course and two additional 10-mile loops. Imagine coming downhill to the finish line after 31 miles, getting ice and aid. Then you’re told: “clim the hill again”, at 95 degrees and with extrem sore legs. That’s why only 2 out of over 10 finished the 50 miles.
Overall, I liked the 50K course, the trail and the views. I would run it again, if the 50 Mile course was redesigned and the aid stations set up properly.

Bulldog 50k is two 25k loops with plenty elevation gain and loss. It was very hot, as in recent years (according to other runners). The trail is rocky, and I saw some runners falling. Good views from the top, but few aid stations. Finisher medal of the 50k not much bigger than a coin.

Many participants, great if you like running with others. The course is fairly easy, with some uphills towards the finish. I didn’t like the fact the marathon course was on the highway for the last 5 Miles. Nice finish line festivities, and many motivators along the course!